Cassidy Delivers Floor Speech Urging Senate to Pass SAVE America Act

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) today delivered a floor speech urging the passage of the SAVE America Act as Senate Democrats continue to block the bill. The legislation would require proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections.

"To my Democratic colleagues, I ask you to listen to the people. Pass the SAVE America Act," said Dr. Cassidy.

Cassidy's remarks as prepared for delivery are below:

Mr. President, it's a lot easier to show your photo ID when you go to vote than it is to read that poster.

But Democrats insist on making it difficult.

They insist on making a common-sense, widely supported bill a huge fight.

It's funny, you don't hear any Democrats complaining that you have to show a photo ID to buy a gun.

But when it comes to this Constitutional principle of protecting the integrity of our elections, suddenly that's too far.

The SAVE America Act is supported by 71 percent of Democrats and 95 percent of Republicans.

That's why I'm a proud co-sponsor, and why you might scratch your head when you hear that Democrats broadly refuse to support it.

Democrats know that most of their constituents are for verifying citizenship to vote; they're just ignoring them-presumably to appease the small left-wing base of 16 percent who are against it.

It does not prevent any eligible American citizen from casting a ballot.

It does not take away anyone's constitutional rights.

It just says that only American citizens may participate in federal elections.

We have even worked with Democrats to address some of their concerns.

For example, there is concern that those eligible to vote may not be able to obtain physical documents, like a birth certificate.

But we've addressed that concern!

If you are a citizen and you've lost your documents, or never had them, you could go to a state election official, swear to the details of your birth date and location or naturalization details, and register to vote.

The SAVE America Act allows that alternative process to accommodate those who need an affidavit option.

So, lack of documentation is not an issue.

Americans have to show a photo ID or proof of citizenship on a weekly, sometimes daily basis.

Opening a bank account, cashing a check, boarding a plane.

They're throwing mud against the wall to see what sticks, because that's easier than admitting the real reason they oppose the SAVE America Act: Senate Democrats are controlled by the far left, not the majority of their constituents.

But you know what's ironic about that?

When Mayor Mamdani offered New Yorkers a chance to make a few bucks snow shoveling during the blizzard last month, he required not one, but TWO, forms of valid ID.

Democrats make a weak argument that even those in their own party are having trouble defending.

As far as the talking filibuster is concerned, I have supported returning to the talking filibuster since I joined the Senate in 2015.

Let's see a proposal and get it done.

We should look at every avenue to push the SAVE America Act.

I have voted for it, and I will do so again.

To my Democratic colleagues: Listen to the people. Pass the SAVE America Act.

With that, Mr. President, I yield the floor.

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